Fever

Given Peggy Lees extensive and influential career spanning multiple decades, an assignment to write a piece inspired by her work could go in any number of directions. The three playwrights whove taken on this assignment--Molly Best Tinsley, Joanna Horowitz, and Jessica Chisum--have at least one common thread to their works: They're all bizarre. Together, its an evening of hit-and-miss moments in tragicomedies accompanied by music. The most engaging play is Horowitzs Miss End of the World, the tale of a post-apocalyptic beauty pageant in which the competitors vie for the last remaining sustenance in sight, a Snickers bar. I imagine this is what Samuel Beckett would have written if he'd been gay. Notable among the actors is newcomer Carrie McIntyre, who has a powerful voice and a clear knack for physical comedy I hope to see more of. The interludes between plays are filled with a guest musical artist performing Peggy Lee songs; the evening I attended, we had the pleasure of hearing Alyssa Keene, who obviously enjoys Miss Lee and does a beautiful job with her music. BRENT ARONOWITZ